A Deep Dive into Oliva Cigars: History & Different Series
In the heart of the cigar world lies a legacy soaked in tradition, craftsmanship, and the charm of fine tobacco – the story of Oliva Cigars. Marching on a journey through the rich history and exquisite offerings of this prestigious brand is similar to delving into a timeless tale of passion, perseverance, and unparalleled quality.
As soon as Nicaragua’s fields embraced the artistry of cultivation in the 1960s, the Oliva family embarked on a quest to craft cigars that would captivate connoisseurs around the globe. From humble beginnings rooted in the fertile soils of Pinar del Río, their story unfurled like the delicate tendrils of tobacco leaves reaching for the heavens.
Join us as we venture on a voyage through the chronicles of the time, exploring the depths of flavour, the nuances of craftsmanship, and the everlasting legacy of Oliva Cigars.
A Quick Overview of the History
Origins and Early Years
The history of Oliva Cigars dates back to 1886, the year Melanio Oliva cultivated his first tobacco crop in Pinar Del Rio, Cuba. But the journey to crafting this masterpiece wasn’t an easy one. Cultivation operations ceased during the Cuban War of Independence. Melanio had to fight for Cuba in an effort to end the war. When the war ended, Melanio returned to resume his work growing a unique blend.
Relocation & Expansion
Soon after, in the early 1920s, Facundo Oliva (Melanio’s son) took over all the responsibilities to carry forward his father’s business of growing tobacco.
Since Cuba became a communist territory, tobacco businesses faced many challenges. As a result, Gilberto Oliva (Facundo’s son) thought about brokering tobacco instead of growing it in fields. Thus, Gilberto travelled to many countries in search of ideal conditions for recreating the distinct Cuban taste.
Gilberto travelled to Mexico, Panama, the Philippines, and many more countries, but his search ended in Nicaragua. Since Nicaragua’s soil and climatic conditions were ideal for tobacco cultivation, Gilberto and his family shifted from Cuba to Nicaragua. Nicaragua soon became a new home for the Oliva tobacco-growing operations, and by the 1960s, the Oliva family had firmly established themselves as prominent tobacco growers in the region.
Building the Brand
The 1990s was an era where the Oliva family and their business reached a new level of fame and popularity. Gilberto, along with his son Gilberto Oliva Jr., transitioned from growing tobacco to crafting cigars under their brand name. They launched Oliva Cigar Co. during a time when the demand for premium cigars was experiencing a significant surge, especially in the US. This strategic shift allowed the Oliva family to control every aspect of production, from the seed to the final product, ensuring the highest quality cigars.
Innovative and Acclaim
Britney Spears in the music world and Oliva Cigars in the cigars industry were reaching a new level of fame in the early 2000s. During 2001-2004, Oliva Cigars was one of the most successful cigar brands in the world. Under the leadership of Gilberto Jr., Oliva Cigar Co. began to innovate and expand its product range. The debut of lines such as Serie V and Serie G marked a new era for the company. These series quickly gained critical acclaim, with Serie V earning multiple high ratings in cigar publications and various accolades. By 2005-2006, Oliva Cigars become the second-largest Nicaraguan tobacco grower. In the 2000s, Oliva Cigars sold more than 13 million cigars every year, cementing it as one of the best-selling cigar brands in modern history.
Legacy
Today, Oliva Cigars is recognized as one of the most dependable brands in the industry, known for its rich history and commitment to quality. Despite being acquired by J. Cortès Cigars N.V. in 2016, the Oliva family remains heavily involved in the daily operations, ensuring the brand’s legacy continues.
Different Series from Oliva Cigars
In its more than six decades-long spanning career, Oliva Cigars has debuted several series.
1. Serie V Melanio
This series contains hand-rolled cigars made from fermented ligero fillers. With a delightful nose profile and rich flavour, this series is one of the most popular ones of Oliva Cigars. The series contains two offerings, both of them being highly successful:
Serie V Melanio
These hand-rolled cigars feature fermented ligero Nicaraguan fillers and binders. If we ever made a list of the best premium branded cigars, Serie V Melanio would be right in the top five. The reason behind this is its robust flavour and unique smoke. That’s why it was acknowledged with the ‘Cigar of the Year 2014’ title.
Serie V Melanio Maduro:
If you’re a big fan of Mexican Maduro, this is the perfect cigar for you. The harmonious combination of the Mexican Maduro wrapper with Nicaraguan binder and filler ensures each puff is laden with flavour, delivering a delightful complexity that evolves throughout the smoking experience.
2. Serie V
The Oliva Serie V is a famous line from Oliva Cigars. It was first introduced in 2007 and is highly regarded in the cigar community for its rich flavour and high quality. Inspired by the complex blends of the Nicaraguan long filler tobaccos, the Serie V is the most experimental series of the Oliva Cigars. Over the years, Oliva has expanded the Serie V lineup to include various sizes and limited editions. The core Serie V line includes several vitolas, such as the Robusto, torpedo, and Churchill, among others. There are also special iterations like the Serie V Melanio, introduced in 2012 to commemorate the company’s patriarch, Melanio Oliva, and has its own range of sizes.
If you’re a fan of Cuban cigars, you’ll enjoy all products from this series since the cigars in this series have the finishing of Cuban seed-grown wrapper.
Words like ‘Well-Balanced,’ ‘Complex,’ & ‘High-Priming’ perfectly describe this series perfectly.
3. Serie O
If you’re a veteran cigar connoisseur, you would know about the ‘Serie O’. The Oliva Serie O is a well-known line from Oliva Cigars. It was first introduced in the early 2000s. The Serie O is a part of Oliva’s portfolio that showcases traditional Cuban cigar-making techniques with a Nicaraguan twist. The series includes two distinct offerings:
Serie O (Standard)
Inspired by traditional Cuban blending and fermenting, Serie O is an authentic sun-grown Cuban puro. These cigars are made by growing the traditional Cuban seed in places like Jalapa Valley, Condenga, and Esteli. The construction of Serie O is meticulously composed, featuring an Ecuadorian wrapper, a Nicaraguan binder, and Nicaraguan fillers. Moreover, Serie O was named the ‘Best Cigars of the Year 2005’ by Cigar Aficionado.
Serie V Melanio Maduro
Many cigars in different rings were launched in the 2010s, including one in 2021 (Torpedo), which was named the best ‘Cigar of the Year.’ Therefore, Serie V Melanio Maduro is one of the ultimate fan-favourite lines from Oliva cigars. With the Mexican Maduro wrapper (sourced from the lush San Andres Valley) and Nicaraguan binder and filler, this cigar is highly recommended.
4. Serie G
Who doesn’t love medium-body cigars with African Cameroon Wrappers? If you find yourself in this category of Cigar aficionados, this is what you need. The versatile flavours of the cigars from this series will make you enter a different world. On top of that, the iconic wrapper is accompanied by the Nicaraguan Sun Grown Fillers.
Isn’t that such a good collaboration? With its delightful flavour and hints of coffee and cedar, you won’t be disappointed if you spend some Euros on it.
5. Connecticut Reserve
Unpopular Opinion: Connecticut Reserve is the most versatile series of Oliva Cigars.
With Nicaraguan long-fillers, Ecuadorian Connecticut wrappers, and complex flavours, Connecticut Reserve is the finest Oliva Cigar line. The silky and smooth smoke that comes out of the mouth is one-of-a-kind. The best thing about these cigars is that they can be smoked on any occasion.
6. Master Blends 3
If you’re an experienced smoker who loves smoking complex-flavoured cigars, Master Blends 3 is the ideal option for you. As one of the most successful Oliva Cigars series, Master Blends pays tribute to traditional Nicaraguan cigar finishing.
In simple words, we mean to say that Master Blends 3 delivers the richest characteristics of Nicaraguan filler & binder. The whole product is wrapped in Broadleaf sun grown.
7. Gilberto Oliva
The Gilberto Oliva cigar series debuted in late 2017. Many of you might even know, but this cigar line was named in honour of the family’s patriarch, Gilberto Oliva (a key figure in the company’s history). The series includes two distinct offerings:
Gilberto Oliva Reserva
The release of Gilberto Oliva Reserva was one of the career-defining moments for Oliva Cigars in the 2010s decade. There was so much hype for the release of Gilberto Reserva on the market, resulting in its wide range of popularity. It contains everything that a die-heart cigar fan can expect from a premium cigar: a high-quality Indonesian Sumatra wrapper that envelops the binder from Ecuador, creating a smooth yet robust structure. The filler, composed of finely aged Nicaraguan tobacco, adds depth and character to the smoke. On top of that, a medley of dark tobacco spice, creamy cocoa, leather, and a distinct sweetness on the palate will make you feel crazy about it.
Gilberto Oliva Reserva Blanc
We bet you’ve never tasted a finer Connecticut-wrapped cigar than the Gilberto Oliva Reserva Blanc. This rich-flavoured cigar offering is one of the best Oliva Cigars products.
Imagine sitting in your cosy room, smoking a Gilberto Oliva Reserva Blanc, enjoying the spring breeze, and listening to a classic rock song in the background. That would be the vibe!
8. Flor De Oliva
Do you know:
Flor de Oliva is one of the best bargain-bin cigars in the history.
This line by Oliva Cigars is very budget-friendly and offers a variety of flavours and sizes. Available in different lengths and ring gauges, it is the best option if you’ve less funds to buy other premium cigars. The series includes four distinct offerings:
Flor de Oliva (Standard)
These cigars feature Nicaraguan tobacco fillers and undergo a meticulous ageing process, creating the perfect combination of a flavourful and creamy blend. It also boasts a distinctive wrapper from Indonesia, known for its unique, rich qualities that wrap beautifully around the premium core. Additionally, they are filled with earthy flavours that can captivate you from the very first puff.
Flor de Oliva Gold
How many of you enjoy a lighter cigar on the palate? Many!
Then, consider Flor de Oliva Gold. It is the ideal cigar for you. Crafted with a delicate Ecuadorian wrapper, a robust Nicaraguan binder, and rich Nicaraguan filler, Flor de Oliva Gold seamlessly balances quality and affordability. Besides being lighter on the palate, it has a short finish, offering a flavourful and smooth smoking experience. And, you know, what? Buying this cigar will not even empty your bank account. So, move forward with it.
Flor de Oliva Corojo
This medium-body cigar features authentic long-filler Nicaraguan tobaccos with a robust flavour profile. Without writing much, we would like to describe this cigar as simple yet Enjoyable.
Flor de Oliva Maduro
Flor de Oliva Maduro is an excellent cigar that can win the heart of any cigar aficionado. Encased in a rich Ecuadorian wrapper, this cigar draws the eye and invites further exploration. Beneath, it features a robust Nicaraguan binder and filler that together create a harmonious blend of flavours. With earthy notes and consistent burn, these are well-organized cigars.
Conclusion: Contact ‘The House of Cigars’ to buy Oliva’s Best!!
So, that’s a wrap for this blog post. Thanks to all cigar enthusiasts for reading it. Your love for ‘The House of Cigars’ is the reason we’re so dedicated and motivated to compile detailed blog posts about Cigars.
Speaking of Oliva Cigars, The House of Cigars wants to say,
“The legacy of Oliva Cigars is marked by a steadfast commitment to excellence. Innovation & tradition. From humble beginnings, the Oliva family has cultivated their brand into a globally recognized iconic cigar brand, symbolizing quality and craftsmanship in this industry.”
Smoking an Oliva Cigar is More than just a Pastime – It’s an experience of a rich heritage that burns brightly with every draw.
Also, consider checking out The House of Cigars’ website. With years of experience, The House of Cigars is the leading online cigar store. We showcase a wide range of Oliva Cigars. From the Seire V Melanio to Robusto, you’ll find your favourite Oliva Cigars right on our website. Explore now!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q-1. What country are Oliva Cigars from?
Ans: Oliva Cigars originated in Cuba, but the company is now based in Nicaragua, which is known for its rich, volcanic soil, ideal for growing robust, flavourful tobacco.
Q-2. What makes Oliva cigars special?
Ans: Oliva Cigars are special due to their meticulous craftsmanship, use of high-quality Nicaraguan tobacco, and the rich, complex flavour profiles they achieve, which have garnered numerous prestigious awards and acclaim.
Q-3. What are the different series of Oliva cigars?
Ans: In its more than six-decade career, Oliva Cigars has debuted over eight series, each unique in its own way except for the hints of the Nicaraguan blending process and fillers.
Q-4. Where can I buy Oliva cigars?
Ans: You can either check the official website of Oliva Cigars or contact reputable online cigar stores like ‘The House of Cigars’ for rapid delivery.